Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I raise the Minister's credibility, if he has any, for this type of action. There is no denying that these promises and commitments were made to the people of Cork. Do promises and commitments mean anything to this Government? Do they mean anything to the Fianna Fáil Party? Does that party deny the commitments were made? What is the justification then for breaking the commitments made by the Minister for Transport in 2003 and by the Taoiseach? What is the justification for breaking promises and commitments? Why were they made in the first place?

The consequences for Cork have been spelled out. There is no justification for this action. Already, a leading aviation expert has suggested, according to an article in today's Irish Examiner, that this €100 million debt will keep the airport grounded and could destroy it. He argues facts and figures to that effect. These are not my figures. These are the figures of an aviation expert.

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